Christmas celebrates birth of Jesus

Normally, my commentary is on some political issue, but I have decided to change topics today. Easter is the story of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

These sins start from the first human beings, Adam and Eve. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. In contrast, the coming of the Savior brings a message of hope. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

With Jesus, such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Look, I am coming soon! The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

I hope that this gives you something to reflect on this Christmas season. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Merry Christmas.

This is made up in part from quotations from the New International Version. For fun, see if you can identify all of them